# Plain Language Summary: Foreign Adversary Gain-of-Function Research Prevention Act of 2023

This bill stops the U.S. government from spending taxpayer money on a specific type of dangerous biological research if it's being conducted by countries considered hostile to America. The research in question is called "gain-of-function research," which means deliberately making germs more dangerous—either more contagious or more deadly—to study how they might evolve. The bill specifically names China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as countries where this funding is prohibited, though the Secretary of State can add other nations to the list if needed.

The practical effect is that no federal money can go directly or indirectly to support this type of research in those countries. If a university, research institution, or company violates this rule, they face serious consequences: they get cut off from receiving any grants, contracts, or loans from the Department of Health and Human Services for three years. After that three-year penalty ends, they can receive funding again, but only if they agree to notify Congress before passing money to other organizations and explain what that money will be used for.

For most Americans, this bill won't have a direct impact on their daily lives. However, it matters for national security and public health because it's designed to prevent hostile nations from using American taxpayer dollars to create potentially dangerous pathogens. The concern behind this bill is that such research could lead to the creation of biological threats that might escape laboratories or be weaponized. By cutting off funding, the bill aims to reduce the risk that U.S. money inadvertently helps create a disease that could harm Americans or the world.

Foreign Adversary Gain-of-Function Research Prevention Act of 2023

Wenstrup, Brad R.

Foreign Adversary Gain-of-Function Research Prevention Act of 2023&nbsp;This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by foreign adversaries for gain-of-function research involving pathogens that could cause a pandemic. (Gain-of-function research is defined as research that enhances the pathogenicity or transmissibility of a&nbsp;pathogen in mammals.)&nbsp;Specifically, the bill prohibits federal funds from being used to support gain-of-function research involving&nbsp;potential pandemic pathogens by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or any other designated foreign adversary. Entities that violate the bill's requirements may not receive any funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for three years and, for the following three years, may not receive any additional HHS funds unless they agree to give advance notice about how they intend to use the funds.&nbsp;